History

• Until the 19th century, when outside fashion influenced Japanese clothing, kimonos were worn constantly by both sexes. In modern times, kimonos are only worn by the older generation or for special occasions. Today, the image of a woman dressed in a kimono is recognized by other cultures as supremely Japanese. Tourists who visit Japan often dress up in a kimono to resemble a geisha.
  
  

Style

• A basic kimono has a square-cut body and sleeves. The shape of the kimono has stayed the same throughout decades. While the overall shape of the kimono has stayed the same, other aspects of this piece of clothing have changed. Size, decoration and material vary. Kimono prices also vary greatly depending on what material is used in the making of the garment. Traditionally, kimonos were made from silk, making them a pricey article of clothing. Kimonos that are hand decorated or embroidered are also much more expensive than those made of printed fabric.
  
  

Wear

• A kimono is worn with an obi. An obi is a band of cloth that's decorated and colored. It's wrapped around the torso and then tied in the back. Kimonos and obis are difficult to put on and women often need a second person to help them get dressed. Traditionally, mothers taught their daughters how to put on a kimono.
  
  

Symbolism

• Kimonos symbolize a variety of things, depending on how they're designed. For example, certain kimonos will communicate marital status. Newborns often wear two kimonos -- either a brightly colored or black kimono is layered on top of a white one. During the coming-of-age ceremony at the age of 20, girls wear a kimono with long sleeves. During weddings, the bride will often wear a white kimono and the groom will wear a black kimono. At funerals, both men and women wear black kimonos. The difference between a wedding and funeral kimono is the tie -- men wear a white tie at weddings and all black at funerals.